We continue to see lots of commercial fishing trawlers along the way. We stopped at Slade Creek for the night on the 18th.
April 19th finds us continuing along the ICW in North Carolina. The waterway was by turns narrow or expansive today. Here we are following three sailboats under a tall highway bridge.
And in a particularly tight spot, we passed the tug Lisa Moran.
We anchored for the night in South Lake, a protected spot just before we transit the wide Albemarle Sound.
We crossed the Albemarle Sound and turned up the Pasquotank River toward Elizabeth City. A notable landmark is the blimp hangar and factory.
The largest Coast Guard Air Base is located here. In operation since 1939, it occupies 822 acres and has 2,200 personnel.
Now we reach Elizabeth City, the Harbor of Hospitality.
After Docking, we headed for the Museum of the Albemarle, which we had visited on our last stop in this town. The 50,000 square foot museum documents this area’s seafaring history.
This restored 1904 shad boat (North Carolina’s official state boat) is suspended from the lobby ceiling. New exhibits included one documenting the area’s role in the Civil War.
We enjoyed a long walk around the town, which has some beautiful old homes.
There was a full house at the town docks; at least 20 boats.
As the city often does, a reception to welcome boaters was held that evening, complete with wine and cheese.
Each woman in attendance was presented a rose. This tradition was stared by townspeople in 1984, led by Joe Kramer and Fred Fearing.
When Joe died in 1987, his roses were transplanted to the park, where mariners and pedestrians alike enjoy them. Fred continued the tradition into his 90s, and died in 2007.
The city carries on the welcoming tradition today, much to the delight of cruisers, who shop, dine and spend time and money in this lovely town. We did – as we shopped at Shay Leslie Boutique and then dined at Cypress Creek on grilled oysters and other delectable seafood.
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